The U.S. Air Force has awarded BAE Systems an 18-year, $12 billion contract to continue supporting American intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).
BAE say that they will “provide systems engineering, integration, and test support—extensively utilising digital engineering environments—for the Minuteman III (MMIII) and next-generation Sentinel (formerly known as the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent system) ICBMs”.
“Our team brings best-in-class experience, expertise, and the necessary vision to maintain the readiness of the ICBM, a pillar of our national security,” said Pete Trainer, vice president and general manager of BAE Systems Air & Space Force Solutions.
“We are ready to continue supporting the U.S. Air Force and their nuclear enterprise with our industry-leading modernization and model-based systems engineering tools and skills.”
In this news release, BAE Systems say they will provide the U.S. Air Force with programme management, acquisition, engineering, scientific research, financial, and administrative support to execute integrated life cycle acquisition and sustainment “of the nation’s current and next-generation ICBM inventory”.
“As one of the world’s largest defense companies, BAE Systems has a long history of supporting the U.S. nuclear enterprise. Over the last eight years, the company has worked side-by-side with the Air Force to sustain the MMIII and support the acquisition of the Sentinel program. At Hill Air Force Base in Utah, BAE Systems has been transitioning the 60-year legacy program’s documents into a digital engineering environment to better manage the cost, schedule, and performance benefits.”
Good job for a “British” company.
It gives you a weapon that the enemy has to account for. I’ve seen it referred to as a nuclear sponge that “soaks” up a significant portion of Russia or China’s strategic arsenal. Reports suggest that it would take three to four Russian warheads to assure destruction of one of these and so they have much less to commit to destroying the other two components of the nuclear triad. Now like most things when it comes to nuclear strategy, a lot of it seems illogical and probably is but it seems to have worked so far at least to prevent… Read more »
I think flexibility and it was a case of they have them so we have to as well.
Normally ICBM is a heavier weapon than a submarine launched missile so allows greater range, carry weight for warheads, decoys etc.
Also they are spread over a vast area in hardened silos so it would take a direct hit at a minimum to damage each one.
I understand the French abandoned silo-launched nukes several years ago for the reason you state.
Some years ago BAE made a decision to go American. Seems as if it worked
This is so old!
But worth putting on (a few months ago!)